“Well, as you know, she didn’t tell you, bellezza.”

“He sent her to tell me that,” she whispered.

“Sorry?”

“If she told me that, I would hesitate to call upon the maids when we were in that state. My father knows that. And as we have to eat and need wood and the like, we have need of the servants. Father also knows if I refused freer relations with you, it would hinder said relations on a variety of levels.” She lifted one shoulder and murmured, “I hate to think this way, but I think the maids told him we were happy and enjoying each other’s, erm…company, and for whatever reason, Father sent my mother to do something about it.”

He did not think that was the case at all.

He knew it was.

“I do not think your mother is cunning enough to understand she could adhere to her husband’s demands and thwart them at the same time by taking a different tack.”

“I know you won’t believe this, but I think my mother loves both Father and I, is torn between doing what is right for the both of us, and I think she selected you to discover the measure of the man who married her daughter, for you two do not know one another well. And as you are correct, she is not cunning, she felt she could still carry out Father’s wishes either way.”

“I did not read the same, my queen,” he said carefully.

“Perhaps I’m wrong,” she mumbled.

“But you hope you’re right,” he deduced.

She scrunched her nose and gave a small shrug.

At her scrunching her nose, Mars’s good mood was restored.

Therefore, he grinned and bent to kiss that nose.

Her expression was even gentler when he lifted away.

“Whatever comes of this, continue to be wary of them, my love,” he warned. “Both of them. No?”

She nodded.

“Go back to reading,” he ordered. “I’ll deal with the maids and speak with Tril.”

“I can speak with Tril.”

“You shared this book is one you’re enjoying.”

She did not reply.

He gave her a squeeze. “Enjoy it. I’ll manage this issue, finish my work and join you after a while.”

She nodded.

Mars bent to touch his mouth to hers, which was the only thing he allowed himself to do. If he tasted her, he’d have her on her back on the carpets and there would be no reading of books.

He had no idea how the Dellish felt about such a thing.

He also didn’t care.

But Silence was enjoying her book.

That, he cared about.

Once he touched their lips, he put his to her hair before he began to let her go.

Clearly needing a change of scenery, Piccola leapt to him as he did.

“I’ll take her,” Silence said, lifting a hand.